Every Friday night at the de Young art museum there is a FREE "cultural event" involving music, dancing, etc. We happened to get in on the Flamenco dancing event which was awesome to watch!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Legion of Honor - weekend Organ concerts
Bob is taking an Art Appreciation class at the Legion of Honor, a museum we've never visited. Turns out they have a pretty impressive Rodin gallery AND a Skinner Organ designed specifically for the museum.
It's fascinating because of how it's built into the building, and it's amazing to listen to because it fills the rooms of the museum. It was originally intended to be played during museum hours, to accompany visitors viewing the art installations. Currently they only play it for an hour (from 4pm - 5pm) every Saturday & Sunday, but it's another of those San Francisco original experiences that shouldn't be missed! When we went, they played Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, which was composed for the organ and is one of Bob's favorites.
It's fascinating because of how it's built into the building, and it's amazing to listen to because it fills the rooms of the museum. It was originally intended to be played during museum hours, to accompany visitors viewing the art installations. Currently they only play it for an hour (from 4pm - 5pm) every Saturday & Sunday, but it's another of those San Francisco original experiences that shouldn't be missed! When we went, they played Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, which was composed for the organ and is one of Bob's favorites.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Farewell to a true friend
We returned to the Bay area on a somber (but joyful) note. Our friend Adrienne passed away on February 20th - she will be greatly missed.
She wrote a poem shortly after she found out she had kidney disease that illustrates the greatest reason we'll miss her.
She wrote a poem shortly after she found out she had kidney disease that illustrates the greatest reason we'll miss her.
Let's not wait until we're ready to die,
before we show our love and say good-bye.
But here and now, really try
to do our part and truly care,
by proving the love we do bear.
It can soften lifes blows and woes.
Let's trust in God and His Son who, all things knows
After all, He lived and died and rose
And filled the plan our Father for Him, chose.
And no greater love than that, could any ever impose.
before we show our love and say good-bye.
But here and now, really try
to do our part and truly care,
by proving the love we do bear.
It can soften lifes blows and woes.
Let's trust in God and His Son who, all things knows
After all, He lived and died and rose
And filled the plan our Father for Him, chose.
And no greater love than that, could any ever impose.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
South to see Granny
Granny made her annual winter trip to San Diego, so we made the trek to the sunny south. It's a little warmer there than it is in the Bay area...
And we got to do something new - visit the tidepools in La Jolla...
There were a couple mighty hermit crab hunters along...
And Eileen happened to be in the area; she convinced everyone to stick around for the sunset over the tidepools. It gets a little chilly when the sun starts going down - after all, it is February!
And we got to do something new - visit the tidepools in La Jolla...
There were a couple mighty hermit crab hunters along...
And Eileen happened to be in the area; she convinced everyone to stick around for the sunset over the tidepools. It gets a little chilly when the sun starts going down - after all, it is February!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Hanging out with Parker
We had the privilege of hanging out with our 4-year old friend Parker for a couple weeks in January while he was waiting to become a big brother...I think he had fun and I know we did!
Bob and Parker explored the vast wilderness of Bernal Heights Park while Mommy and Suzanne took the easier trail route...
Parker wants to be a farmer, a fireman and a big brother... looks like he got 2 of the 3 this month!
Bob and Parker explored the vast wilderness of Bernal Heights Park while Mommy and Suzanne took the easier trail route...
Parker wants to be a farmer, a fireman and a big brother... looks like he got 2 of the 3 this month!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Chinatown alleyways
Speaking of Chinatown, there's this whole dimension of Chinatown we just discovered! Suzanne had the opportunity to go on a tour of Chinatown's alleyways, with a little bonus tour of an SRO (Single Room Occupancy) apartment - the SRO isn't on the regular alleyway tour.
Chinatown is the 2nd most densely populated neighborhood in the U.S., Manhattan being the most densely populated, but Chinatown doesn't have high-rise buildings like Manhattan does. A key contributor to Chinatown's density is that a majority of its population lives in SRO's. Occupants of an SRO rent a single room, usually less than 100 sq ft in size, and share bathrooms and kitchens, usually 1 per floor... now that's compact living! Consequently, outdoor public spaces are the "living room" of the neighborhood. There are a couple large public squares and parks that are well used, but in addition to those spaces, the alleyways have become essential community spaces.
This map is in the middle of Waverly Alley. There are 41 alleys, and recently there has been an effort to enhance the usability of those alleys through lighting, seating, plantings, re-paving, etc. It's a fascinating, San Francisco original experience, complete with a stop at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Chinatown is the 2nd most densely populated neighborhood in the U.S., Manhattan being the most densely populated, but Chinatown doesn't have high-rise buildings like Manhattan does. A key contributor to Chinatown's density is that a majority of its population lives in SRO's. Occupants of an SRO rent a single room, usually less than 100 sq ft in size, and share bathrooms and kitchens, usually 1 per floor... now that's compact living! Consequently, outdoor public spaces are the "living room" of the neighborhood. There are a couple large public squares and parks that are well used, but in addition to those spaces, the alleyways have become essential community spaces.
This map is in the middle of Waverly Alley. There are 41 alleys, and recently there has been an effort to enhance the usability of those alleys through lighting, seating, plantings, re-paving, etc. It's a fascinating, San Francisco original experience, complete with a stop at the Golden Gate Fortune Cookie Factory.
Friday, January 7, 2011
In with 2011
2011 started with a birthday celebration for our friend Adrian - it was also his baby daughter's 1 month birthday!
A couple days later, Ma & Pa came for a visit. In 2 days we gave them the grand, whirlwind tour of the San Francisco highlights including a short walk on Golden Gate Bridge,
...the classic SF view from Alamo Square of the "Painted Ladies",
...an exciting walk around Chinatown including some Chinese food and of course, a stop at a Chinese bakery for some red bean curd buns,
...and some spectacular sunset views of GG Park and GG Bridge.
A couple days later, Ma & Pa came for a visit. In 2 days we gave them the grand, whirlwind tour of the San Francisco highlights including a short walk on Golden Gate Bridge,
...the classic SF view from Alamo Square of the "Painted Ladies",
...an exciting walk around Chinatown including some Chinese food and of course, a stop at a Chinese bakery for some red bean curd buns,
...and some spectacular sunset views of GG Park and GG Bridge.
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